Celtics and Clippers talking about Doc Rivers again

Just a day after they were declared dead, talks are back on between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers concerning a trade for Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and veteran star Kevin Garnett, according to multiple reports.

Comment

By
DAN WOIKE
Posted Jun. 19, 2013 @ 8:50 pm

The potential trade that would bring Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers to the Clippers has been harder to kill than Jason Voorhees.

Barely more than 24 hours after talks between the Celtics and the Clippers were deemed “dead,” the two teams spoke again about the blockbuster Wednesday.

And while nothing has been agreed to, the Clippers and Boston are expected to continue speaking Thursday.

The principal framework for the deal has remained mostly unchanged, with the Clippers sending DeAndre Jordan to Boston for Garnett. The Celtics are also asking for a pair of first-round picks to release Rivers from the non-compete clause in his contract.

Rivers has three years and $21 million remaining on his contract with the Celtics, and he’s expected to make close to the same salary with the Clippers.

Garnett is due $23.5 million for the next two seasons.

The talks reignited Wednesday after the teams appeared to have exhausted all possibilities over the past four days.

Talks started with the Celtics seeking Jordan, Eric Bledsoe and a pair of first-round picks. The Clippers were able to get Bledsoe off the table, but Boston tried to add either Jason Terry or Courtney Lee to the deal in hopes of ridding themselves of a long-term contract.

It’s unknown whether Terry, Lee or any other players are currently involved in talks.

Trade discussions stalled again Monday night, and once the teams reconvened Tuesday, it was clear the final sticking point seemed to be the inclusion of a second first-round pick.

However, the Clippers entered talks with Boston on Wednesday with an increased desire to get the deal done. Reports linked free-agent to-be Chris Paul as the driving force for the Clippers’ re-entry into the discussion.

Before the Clippers and Boston breathed life into the possible trade, the Clippers hosted Indiana associate head coach Brian Shaw for his second interview with the team.

After meetings at the Clippers’ practice facility during the day, Shaw met with front-office staff for dinner.